Hitman: Absolution Online Passes Scrapped

Contracts Mode Now Available To All

Square Enix have reversed their decision to gate Hitman: Absolution's Contracts Mode behind an online pass, making it free to download for all players.

"We'd actually planned to have this mode accessible via a code in the game's box, but we really want to make it available to anybody that plays the game - so we want to take a new approach," reads a statement on the official Hitman: Absolution Tumblr blog.

This last-minute decision comes as great news, though it's worth noting that the eleventh-hour reversal means that online pass codes will still be included in European retail copies. You can use or ignore it - either way, Contracts Mode can be freely downloaded from the in-game store.

"If you're in North America you'll see the mode automatically appear in the game menu. If you're elsewhere, you can redeem the code inside the box, or you can simply select the BUY CONTRACTS PASS option. From there, head to the store where CONTRACTS will be free to access."

Contracts Mode allows players to create their own Assassination missions with different objectives and equipment, then share them with the community. Hitman: Absolution launches tomorrow, and we'll bring you our full review soon.